End-to-End Hikes

An End-to-End for a hiker of the Bruce Trail is the completion of the entire main trail on foot, after which you’ll have earned a badge to proudly announce to all that you did this! You can also complete shorter End-to-Ends of the Bruce Trail, where you hike all of the main trail in any of the nine club sections.

Each club typically runs an annual event to hike their entire section of the trail over one or several weekends, depending on how long the section is. In Caledon Hills, our section is about 72 km long and our annual event has you experiencing spectacular fall colours over the Thanksgiving weekend, with two- and three-day hiking options.

But the annual event isn’t the only time you’ll find organized hikes for completing an End-to-End in a section. Current End-to-End hikes are listed below.

Completing an End-to-End on the Thanksgiving weekend, or over several hikes throughout the year (either on your own or as part of an organized club hike), will earn you a badge.

Caledon Hills End-to-End

Thanksgiving Weekend – October 9, 10, 11, 2021

Please note the date above. This Fall’s hike (2020) has been cancelled.

The Caledon Hills Bruce Trail Club invites you to join us for our “Fall Colours”
End-to-End hike on Thanksgiving weekend.

Plan to participate in one of the most enjoyable and challenging hiking
experiences of the year, a 71.4 km hike through the spectacular fall colours of
the Caledon Hills. You can complete the distance over all three days of the
weekend or the same distance over Saturday and Sunday (two-day event held
biennially). The cost for the three-day event is $40.00 and the two-day event is
$30.00. This fee covers daily bus transportation, refreshments, and the end-to-
end badge on completion.

FAQs

Q. How do I register for the event?
Registration is limited to 95 hikers. The cost for the three-day event is $40. The
two-day event (held on even-numbered years only) is $30.
Registration opens May 1 at www.eventbrite.ca.2-day event | 3-day event

Q. Are these hikes the same as a regular hike on the Bruce Trail?
These end-to-end hikes differ from regular Bruce Trail hikes in one important
respect. Rather than hiking as a single group with a designated leader, hikers are
free to hike at their own pace, either individually or with other participants. An
official “end-person” (sweep) is arranged for each day. There are “checkpoints”
every 7-10 km along the way with water and snacks. It is expected that hikers
aim to hike approximately 4 km/hr or faster.

Q. Can I follow the Trail without a lot of problems?
While the Trail through the Caledon Hills section is clearly blazed and easy to
follow, it is helpful (but not essential) to have up-to-date maps (preferably the 29 th
Edition of the Bruce Trail Reference) or the Bruce Trail App, and be familiar with
the blazing system, as described in section III-4 of the Reference or on the Bruce
Trail website http://brucetrail.org/pages/trail/using-the-trail. If you are not that
familiar with the Trail, it is recommended that you walk with other hikers who are
walking at the same pace as you. You will be following the trail marked by
white blazes. These painted rectangles are 15 cm high and 5 cm wide and can
usually be found on trees and signposts. Blue blazes are for side trails. If you do
happen to stroll off the trail, retrace your steps until you see the white blazes, and
then carry on. If you do not pass through a checkpoint after a reasonable time, a search party
will be organized to look for you.

Q. Where do we meet?
All hikers meet at the end point of each day’s hike. The bus will leave at 8:30 am
sharp for 3-day hikers (7:30 am for the 2-day event) to take everyone to the
starting point of the hike. Hikers hike back to their cars. It is recommended that
you arrive at the meeting point, at least 20 minutes early each day. Refer to the
“Meeting Places and Hike Agenda Information Sheet” (provided upon
registration) for specific locations.

Q. What should I bring with me?
There will be checkpoints every 7- 10 km along the route serving liquid
refreshments and light snacks. Please bring your own cup (to save on
disposals), your own lunch, some water, and your regular day hiking gear.

Q. What parts of the Trail are covered each day for the 3-day End-to-End?Saturday’s hike: (km 70.2, Map 19 – approx. km 44.4, Map 18) is approximately
25.8 km from the north end of the Caledon Hills section just east of Mono Centre
to the Tai Chi Centre. The hike goes through Hockley Valley. There are
checkpoints at approximately 10 km, 17 km and 26 km into the hike.Sunday’s hike: (km 0.0, Map 14 – km 20.9, Map 15) is approximately 20.9 km
from the start of the Caledon Hills section (Creditview Rd near the Cheltenham
Badlands), down the Devil’s Pulpit, through Forks of the Credit park and finishing
with some road work along Escarpment Road. Checkpoints are at 8 km, 16 km
and 21 km.Monday’s hike: (km 20.9, Map 16 – approx. km 44.4, Map 18) is approximately
24.7 km. It begins at Heart Lake Road &amp; Escarpment Road with a few kilometres
of road, then through Glen Haffy Conservation Area (note the 1.2 km reroute at Hwy 9) and back to the Tai Chi Centre. Checkpoints are at 7 km, 14 km and 25 km.
For each of the three days the bus departs at 8:30 am. You should be hiking by
8:50 am.

Q. What parts of the Trail does the 2-day End-to-End cover?Saturday’s hike: (km 70.2, Map 19 – km 35.1, Map 17) is 36.3 km from the north
end of the Caledon Hills section on County Road 8 just east of Mono Centre (km
70.2, Map 19). This hike descends through Hockley Valley. After crossing
Hockley Road, you traverse through South Hockley, pass through the Glen Haffy
Conservation Area, and end at Coolihans Sideroad (km 35.1 plus 1.2 km reroute
at Hwy 9, Map 17) Checkpoints are at approximately10, 17 and 28 km into the
hike.Sunday’s hike: (km 0.0, Map 14 – km 35.1, Map 17) is 35.1 km from the
beginning of the Caledon Hills section on Creditview Road near the Cheltenham
Badlands, down the Devil’s Pulpit and through the very scenic Forks of the Credit
Park. It continues along some road sections interspersed with pleasant wooded
trail until you get back to your parked car at Coolihans Sideroad (km 35.1, Map
17 ). Checkpoints are at approximately 8, 16 and 28 km.
For each of the two days the bus departs at 7:30 am. You should be hiking by
8:00 am.

Peninsula Section End-to-End Series

This 12 hike series is being organized and led by Nancy Mooney. If you are interested or simply want more information please contact Nancy at nemooney12@gmail.com

Thursday April 30: Peninsula End-to-End Hike #1 of 12, Map 42,

10:00 AM – 2:30 PMCategory: End-to-EndLocation: Meet at the end point at Little Cove Rd. parking area at km 158.3. Shuttle to the start point in Tobermory and meet at the cairn at Little Tub Harbour. We will be hiking this End-to-End series from north to south.Hike Leader(s): Nancy Mooney 289-218-6879 Pace: Medium – 3 to 4 km/hourTerrain: Moderate – some hills and/or some poor footingDistance: 8.1 km Shuttle hike from km 166.4 – km 158.3

Description: This is hike 1 of 12 hikes that will complete the Peninsula Section. There will be scenic lookouts over Georgian Bay and opportunities for photos, however, the pace will be 15 – 20 minutes per kilometre. Please dress in layers and bring extra socks and shoes for after the hike. Bug spray, sunscreen, rain poncho, hat, lunch, and water are necessary.

*no dogs please.** we will likely hike in rain but not thunderstorms or high humidity (40+)

Category: End-to-EndLocation: Meet at end point at Lion’s Head Harbour, south of km 82.5. Park on Phillip Forbes St. right on the trail by the beach. Shuttle to start to roadside parking at the south end of Carter Rd. Access to the trail is via a short side trail.Hike Leader(s): Nancy Mooney 289-218-6879 Pace: Medium – 3 to 4 km/hourTerrain: Moderate – some hills and/or some poor footingDistance: 15.5 km shuttle hike from km 98.0 to km 82.5

Category: End-to-EndLocation: Meet at end point at BTC parking area off of Bruce Rd. 9 in Barrow Bay just south of West Shore Rd. Shuttle to start at Lion’s Head Harbour south of km 82.5.Hike Leader(s): Nancy Mooney 289-218-6879 Pace: Medium – 3 to 4 km/hourTerrain: Strenuous – hilly with steep climbs and some poor footingDistance: 15.3 km shuttle hike from km 82.5 to km 67.2

Category: End-to-EndLocation: Meet at end point at Jackson’s Cove Rd. parking area located at the top of the hill just to the west of the trail. Shuttle to start to BTC parking area at km 67.2 off of Bruce Rd. 9.Hike Leader(s): Nancy Mooney 289-218-6879 Pace: Medium – 3 to 4 km/hourTerrain: Strenuous – hilly with steep climbs and some poor footingDistance: 16.0 km shuttle hike from km 67.2 – km 51.2

9:30 AM – 3:30 PMCategory: End-to-EndLocation: Meet at end point at off-road parking south of km 35.0 on east side of Pit Rd. just before the bend. Shuttle to start at Jackson’s Cove Rd. parking area located at the top of the hill just to the west of the trail.Hike Leader(s): Nancy Mooney 289-218-6879 Pace: Medium – 3 to 4 km/hourTerrain: Strenuous – hilly with steep climbs and some poor footingDistance: 16.2 km shuttle hike from km 51.2 to km 35.0.

9:30 AM – 1:00 PMCategory: End-to-EndLocation: Meet at end point at roadside parking at km 24.3 where Jones Bluff Side Trail leaves the trail. Shuttle to start at off-road parking south of km 35.0 on east side of Pit Rd. just before the bend.Hike Leader(s): Nancy Mooney 289-218-6879 Pace: Medium – 3 to 4 km/hourTerrain: Moderate – some hills and/or some poor footingDistance: 10.7 km shuttle hike from km 35.0 to km 24.3

Category: End-to-EndLocation: Meet at end point at roadside parking north of km 12.8 at the north end of the Crawford Drive Side Trail. Shuttle to start at roadside parking at km 24.3 where Jones Bluff Side Trail leaves the trail.Hike Leader(s): Nancy Mooney 289-218-6879 Pace: Medium – 3 to 4 km/hourTerrain: Moderate – some hills and/or some poor footingDistance: 11.5 km shuttle hike from km 24.3 to km 12.8